HWA Blog - 14.2.25
As we finish for half term today, I would like to start my blog by sharing with you the children and young people who received a Head Teacher’s Award for this half term.
Well done and keep up the hard work…
HT Awards - 14.2.25
As today is Friday 14th February, our student council wanted to celebrate Valentine’s Day while fundraising, so they decided to invite the whole school to wear the colours red, white or pink, alongside their uniform. They also coordinated, made and set up a Valentine’s Stall selling; sweet cones and no bake treats around school. The treats were open for everyone and we sold out by the end of break on Thursday. What a ‘lovely’ day was had by all. Thank you to the Student Council and Miss McDonald for another great event.
No Bake Sale
Today, 11 children from KS2 represented Hollinwood Academy at a City in the Community football trip. The children played several games against different schools and worked together as a team to show great sportsmanship. Everyone had a fantastic day and was enjoyed by all!
Primary Football - City
Let’s see what some of the classes have been doing starting with Miss Matthew’s class…
"Wow, what a start to 2025! This term, our Year 6 children have been absolutely amazing us all with their outstanding attitude towards learning. Their focus, hard work, and determination have truly shone through, not to mention the unexpected talent exhibited, which has certainly perked us all up at the end of what has been an incredibly work- heavy term.
In Science, we've been delving into the intriguing topic of light. The children have been exploring how we see, how light travels, and the fascinating phenomena of shadows, reflection, and refraction. Their experiments have sparked some brilliant conversations and fostered a genuine interest in the topic.
History has been equally engaging as we dove into the lives of Mary Bucktrout and Evelyn Dove while examining the significance of the Census. The children have shown a real curiosity about historical figures and their contributions, making connections to the present day.
In English, we've journeyed through 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'; and the children have enthusiastically participated in talk for writing sessions, crafting their own portal stories with a particular focus on setting. Their creativity has been truly inspiring!
Soft play sessions have allowed us to work as a team, enhancing skills such as active listening and understanding the needs of others while following instructions.
Additionally, in a lovely gesture of kindness, the class took the time to write uplifting messages to Mr Corrigan's class, spreading positivity.
With National Reading Week underway, we also indulged in some baking and made Valentine's Day cards, adding a sprinkle of fun to our academic pursuits. In ICT, we emphasised online safety by discussing strong passwords and the importance of digital reputation.
Maths has revolved around fractions and decimals, while our class read, 'Mr Stink'; has provided a thoughtful lens to discuss themes of anxiety, like those highlighted in 'Ruby's Worries'; Throughout the term, we’ve explored various books, helping to develop a genuine love of reading amongst the children. What a fantastic way to kick off the year!"
Now to Mrs Whalley’s form…
"This term in outdoor education we have enjoyed visiting a local cafe at Alexandra Park. The students showed good independence when going up to the counter to order their own food and drink and make choices of their own. All the of the student were very sensible, we are very proud.
In music we have been learning skills of playing different chords, the theme this term has been blues. The class have demonstrated good skills when playing chords on guitar.
The class have demonstrated good understanding of illness in Spanish, we have been able to speak and write different phrases relating to different illnesses.
During science in Mr Gold’s class our students have shown a good interest in the topic learning all about our solar system and talking about the different planets. In Mr Mohammed’s class the students have been learning about different types of forces, we were able to draw diagrams on the different forces when looking at different objects e.g. a moving car.
In computing students have picked up key skills when using different software such as Inkscape. We have been experimenting with shapes and lines and explored using different tools on the software. Students created some impressive work when creating poster for ‘safer internet day’ using Inkscape software. Students have had positive phone calls home due to their excellent effort and outcomes. Well done 8DWY.
In English we have been reading the play ‘Our Day Out’ by Willie Russell. We have enjoyed analysing the different language used to portray the different characters.
In PE our students have been focusing on health and fitness, we have been having a try at different work out stations.
During food we have been learning about different cooking methods focusing on boiling and simmering. We made mashed potato. We were able to follow instructions and work
safely when boiling and simmering our potatoes.
In art we have been looking at the work of Hundertwasser and have been designing and making houses inspired by his architecture.
We are very proud of two students from our form who are taking part in a school chess tournament to qualify for a chess competition between different schools in Oldham. We are very proud of your passion and effort within the tournament."
DWY - 14.2.25
Now to Miss Hobson’s form…
"This term has been extremely positive for 9NHN, with the final week tying all the forms hard work together. Although the term has been the shortest, it has been busiest of the academic year so far! Here is some insight into what we have been up to this and the previous weeks…
Oliver has begun building a copy of the National league trophy in form time which is surely a contender for the previous he has created.
Daniel has also been busy being creative building a bat cave for the class mascot- Batifa! The class projects have been great for team building and boosting class morale.
Sofia took part in Young Voices at the AO arena with the school choir last Friday night and she said she had an amazing time - well done Sofia for representing Hollinwood Academy.
Trey, Alfie, Sam and Zachary took part in the first Hollinwood chess tournament, 19 students took part and the competition was fierce. After round one Zachary placed 4th, showcasing his brilliance!
Victoria and Sofia took part in the dance workshop at the start of term, they learnt some beautiful choreographed Chinese dancing and immersed themselves into another culture.
The theme for Springs doors is centred around Valentines, specifically the idea of ‘love is love’ in awareness of LGBTQ+ History Month which has spread love and positivity around the school and amongst the students. Everyone is deserving of love no matter gender or sexuality and as we strive to be more tolerant, accepting, and diverse as a society, we continue to do our part in promoting this. Well done to 9NHN and every other class who has participated by creating doors, raising awareness in lesson and involving their selves in activities such as creating posters.
Now for the subjects…
During RSE, we have been doing important topics such as gangs, knife crime and drug awareness which the students have taken extremely seriously and engaged with week after week. We have been following four characters stories and how their actions ultimately had consequences socially, emotionally, and legally.
Maths this term centred around numbers and percentages and in Science we built circuits and before moving onto Biology, learning about the respiration system.
In English they read parts of The Crucible by Arthur Miller and War Horse the play script by Michael Morpurgo to further their exploration of literature.
Computing this term saw 9NHN begin filming around the school to create a welcome video for incoming year 6’s, an exciting project for the class.
During Art, the class have been recreating a painting by the artist Thiebaud, depicting mass consumption in American society.
Food technology this term has been all about ‘Bread’ and dough making from scratch. The class have so far made pizza bases then pizzas with toppings and baguettes. They have been practicing their kneading techniques to the song ‘staying alive’ by the Bee Gees which has been fun for all.
In Geography 9NHN have been learning about the effects of being part of a global market on local communities.
In History we have been looking at the suffragette movement and how this gained success after the events of WW1, finishing the term moving on to Ireland during 1900’s and the events that took place leading up to the Irish War of Independence.
Outdoor Education saw us out and about in the community, with two weeks at the Boathouse café, ordering things for ourselves from the counter. Two weeks visiting Oldham library, the gallery space and reading in the library for pleasure.
In PE we learned and practiced football skills with the last lesson of the term playing an actual game and putting these skills to the test.
Spanish saw us practicing language around buying and returning unwanted items as well as what they would do if they won the lottery in terms of spending their winnings.
Music centred around the 4 Bar key, playing instruments such as the keyboard or ukulele and putting basic notes together. Not only this, but we also took part in the African drumming workshop with Serge from the Z arts team which was a monumental success! Mr Challinor was extremely impressed with their attitude towards the experience.
Finally, EHCP this term has addressed important topics such as self-esteem, team building games and learning to win or lose. During Hate Crime Awareness week, we did a one-off lesson on Sophie Lancaster and the importance of not judging sometimes
based on their appearance, what sub-culture they belong to etc.
With another half term coming to an end, it has been a pleasure to see the students grow academically, socially, and emotionally and I am incredibly proud of their efforts so far, this academic year. Well, done 9NHN keep up the hard work and dedication to becoming the best versions of their selves."
NHN - 14.2.25
Now to our amazing SUPER STARs and HWA We are Innovative STARs...
Mrs Lerigo’s STAR of the week is Madilyn for amazing work in TALK 4 WRITING and phonics.
Mrs Lerigo’s HWA We are Innovative STAR is Reception Class for amazing work with their volcanoes, your models are fabulous.
Mrs Sutcliffe’s STAR of the week is Louie for having a super week and trying super hard with his learning.
Miss Sutcliffe’s HWA We are Innovative STAR is Effy for her amazing fish that she created in Science.
Miss Oakley’s STAR of the week is Harry for his fantastic acting skills in Phonics this week. We could have a future star on our hands.
Miss Oakley’s HWA We are Innovative STAR is Zachary for always being a ray of sunshine in our class!
Miss Bailey’s STAR of the week is Silva for working hard to communicate her wants and needs with adults and requesting a sensory break for the first time using the ‘sensory den’ symbol.
Miss Bailey’s HWA We are Innovative STAR is Jack for his enthusiastic engagement in water play activities and beautiful interaction with adults this week.
Mrs Quinn’s STAR of the week is Riley for his first time making a request using a visual symbol in class.
Mrs Quinn’s HWA We are Innovative STAR is Basil for participating in singing and filling in the missing words of familiar routine songs for the first time this week.
Miss Pietraszewska’s STAR of the week is the whole group, for learning, engaging, and trying their best every single day. We are very proud of you!
Mr Corrigan’s STAR of the week is George for some lovely independent writing inEnglish.
Mr Corrigan’s HWA We are Innovative star is Kai for coping really well with change today.
Mr Corrigan’s WOW moments go to Lewis and Faiha. Well done!
Miss Tootill’s STAR of the week is Derry, Cole, Jack, Jason and David - for having an amazing last week of term!
Miss Tootill’s HWA We are Innovative STAR is Jason for persevering with innovating his hot task in English!
Miss Gittins’ STAR of the week is Joshua for excellent behaviour
Miss Gittins’ HWA We are Innovative STAR is Freya for playing with others nicely
outside.
Miss Matthew’s STARs of the week are Blaire, Bobby, Oscar, Xander, Jacob, Alice,Freya and Logan for being an amazing year 6 class- you are proving that hard work and your great attitude to learning are paying off.
STARS of the Week (14.2.25)
Scientists of the week is Jason from Miss Tootill’s class.
Well done to our secondary Hollinwood Academy STARs this week:
This week, we have been awarded the Signalong Silver Award status. We are extremely proud of this award and I wanted to share this news with our families. This will be proudly on display in our reception area very soon.
We finish for half term today, Friday 14 th February, and school reopens to the children and young people on Tuesday 25 th February as we have a staff INSET on Monday 24 th February.
I hope you have a lovely half-term break, and I look forward to seeing the children and young people as they return to school.
Mrs Millard
